Posted on May 6th, 2022.

Dog daycare is very popular and widely available. Daycare offers a variety of services and types of facilities that will provide your dog with the stimulation that they need to keep them active and happy. Whether you have a young puppy or an adult, high-energy dog - daycare and boarding will help keep your dog happy and healthy, socializing daily with a group of dogs. Furthermore, some dog daycare options provide training classes and safe environments with the help of a professional dog daycare provider.

To help explain the benefits of daycare, we connected with some local experts from The Dog House here in Edmonton, Alberta. They provided us with some valuable information about daycare services to help you decide if daycare is the right choice for your dog.

Safe Socializing

If your dog is an only child, doesn’t have many dog friends, or has a terrible recall, opportunities to socialize with other dogs and people may be limited. Daycare for dogs provides a safe and controlled environment for your dog to play with other dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities.

The Dog House team is well versed in dog behaviour and body language. They work hard to ensure each dog is having a positive experience, and they facilitate new experiences for dogs that haven’t had the opportunity to socialize as much.

They allow dogs to engage in supervised playtime at their own pace. For shy dogs, this routine can help build confidence and good manners.

Every dog is different, and their habits, personalities, and energy levels vary. Allowing each dog to enjoy their experience in their own way lets your dog properly express themselves and work through any pent-up energy without being overwhelmed.

Physical Exercise

Less active lifestyles can be damaging to both their bodies and minds. Dogs who spend a lot of time alone can learn to adapt to this slow-paced routine, but by limiting their physical and mental activity, they could be prone to weight issues, mobility issues, overeating, and poor digestion.

Weekly or even daily daycare sessions will keep your dog active both physically and mentally. Very energetic dogs will benefit greatly from dog daycare, as they will be able to run and play to their heart's content, tuckering them out before home time.

Managing weight in some dogs can be a challenge, especially when they don’t have any desire to play or exercise some of that weight off. Daycare can provide a supportive environment that will allow your fat or lazy dog to be excited about physical activity. This will help shed pounds and build muscle.

Separation Anxiety Cure

If you have a dog that suffers from separation anxiety, then you know that it’s hard on both of you. Without some kind of outlet and social environment, your dog can feel very anxious about being left alone.

They may spend their day crying, howling, licking, chewing, or stressed out and anxious. It’s hard to watch and know that your pet is suffering.

We must go to work or school, or whatever your daily routine is, and dog daycare can allow you to do that without leaving your pet alone to stew in their loneliness.

Even if you aren’t using daily daycare services for dogs, weekly social interaction, especially in group set-ups, can help provide your dog with the activity and structure that they are craving. While it may not completely cure separation anxiety in all dogs, it is a healthy way to limit alone time.

Maintains Routine

When you are home, your dog has a routine. This includes feeding times, playtime, bathroom breaks, and even naps. Working long hours may affect that routine.

Consistent routines and structure are important for dogs, just like they are for kids. Daycare can facilitate structure throughout the day that is more consistent with their preferred routines at home.

Frequent bathroom breaks and regular feeding times can improve digestion and urinary tract health, as well as aid in weight management and calorie distribution.

Think about your morning routine. You get yourself ready, you feed the dog, let them out to use the facilities, and then hit the road.

Their food is still digesting, but there is nowhere for those calories to go, similar to you having a big meal right before bed. It’s not a healthy eating habit.

Structuring their daily activities can help overly excited dogs pace themselves as well. Dogs with limited mobility, senior pets, and even puppies can overdo it without realizing the consequences. The daycare staff can break up playtime and activities into more manageable chunks of time.

Peace of Mind

Coming home to a destroyed house, damaged property, “accidents”, or even just a very sad pup can be stressful. It’s easy to get frustrated and reprimand your dog for their actions, but the fact is, their actions are telling you that they are upset.

Enrolling your dog in daycare or dog boarding will rid you of the stress and worry of what you may go home to. You will have the peace of mind in knowing that they are happy and safe, and so is your house, your other pets, and your neighbours.

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